NOTES ON CURRENT EVENTS. The ways of advertisers are mysterious and pant findi'ig out. A Sydney paper has the following : — 'Lady with £25 cnu ecoare Half-share in nloorcflnoii '' little bus.' Now there are, ao far as I am aware, only two meanings for the word ' bus.' One meaning is that of a public conveyance, and if this Is the construction intended, and the vehicle is a 'nice refined' one, the half-share ia no doubt cheap at tho price, though It Is not ; quite clear what the lady will do with her purchase, unless she also acquires an interest in horses and harness. Another meaning for 11 bus' is, I believe, a kiss, but why a lady who requires a kiss — even a ' nica refined' one — should have to pay £25 for the boon, I ' ; am at a loss to understand. In fact if any lady of fairly average attractiveness— — but I ..'v will say no more. ,w * * # If there is one thing more than another to be admired in the administration of sffairs by the Reid Government it Is the charming con sistenc...

Iff a letter from the New York corres pondent of the London Times, republished in another column, there are some pass ages of special interest to the Australian reader, inasmuch as they place in a clear lieht certain considerations not always regarded in discussions upon freetraie and protection. It will be observed in the first place that the writer, who as the recognised correspondent of the leading newspaper of the world may be assumed to speak with authority, positively states there is no likelihood of a change in the fiscal policy of America. He says ' The freetrade millennium is, $p all appearance, as distant as ever, and as problema tical.' In view of the oft-repeated assertion that America h on the point of abandoning protection, this state ment is of special significanca. The most notable feature of tha New York letter, however, is contained in the quotations from various accepted authori ties, and ia the clear etateiaeat pf tho case for protection from the American stand p...

TALLANGATTA. (from our own correspondent.) A harvest thanksgiving service was held- in the Chnrch of England on Sunday last. The church was decorated in the orthodox style, and special hymns were sang by the choir, which ?was assisted by Mesdames Vipau and Downs of Albury. Mr Sul!iv.'.n, mine maongur, of Granya, had a nasty fall while working underground last week, fie was standing on a stage superintending timbering operations, when tho platform col lapsed and Sullivan fell heavily on a heap of quartz. Ho susfZlaed sevce abrngiona to the head, and was badly bruised about the body, while the shock to his system was very great. He ia now making steady improuemont. It is reporlei that a mild rush has set in nenr Surface Hill, Granya, where pome promising illuvial shows have baen obtained A nnmbfr of Granya minors are eDgaged prospecting the locality. Dr. Thwaites hsin agniu taken up his ftbnde iu TallangaU-a, having tnkeu over tue praeties of Dr. Secconilm. After leagthy deliberation ...

THE BRITISH FLYING SQUADRON. ? - ? London, January ID. In celebration of the twent}r-fifth anni versary of the proclamation ol the German empire at Versailles, the Emperor William has granted an extensive amnesty to per sons undergoing ronns of imprisonment — principally to tboso convicted of political pfjwnces. His Majesty has also announced his intention oi founding a new order of merit to be bestowed upon both men and women who distinguish themselves in movements for promoting the social welfare or the people. A fresh sign ot the altered relations between England and Germany haB been given by the Emperor William. The Im perial yacht Hohenzollern, in which the Emperor is accustomed to m?ike his frequent cruises, has been in course of refitting at Cowes, but His Majesty has issued orders to abruptly stop the work. The special flying squadron, which has been commissioned and placed under com mand by Rear-Admiral Dale, is to be reviewed by Her Majesty the Queen before leaving port. T...

A PRESS ATTACK ON ENGLAND. London, January 18. The Cologne Gazette has published an article dealing with the foreign policy of Germany in which it makes a savage attack upon England. Tbe newspaper urges that Germany should seize the first opportunity when England is imperilled to enforce the release of the Transvaal from British suzerainty.

KING MENELEK ALARMED. London, January 20. Latest news from Abyaainia states that, in spite of the success achieved against tho Italians at Ambalagi a few weeks back, when Major Toselli was kiiled and his force almost cut to pieces, King Menelek is not inclined to prolong the struggle. Reinforcements of 10,000 men have been despatched from Italy to General Baratieri, and, without waiting for their arrival, King Menelek is stated to be suing for peace.

THE ASHAMTEE CAMPAIGN, ? o ? OCCUPATION OF COOMASSIE. London, January 18. Sir Francis Scott, the military comman dant of the Gold Coast Colony, who has been advancing with a strong forco against King Prenapeh of Ashanteo, has reached Coomassie, the capital of Ashuntee, and occupied it. No resistance was made by the Ashan teea to the entrance of the troops. King Prcmpoh has acooded to all the demands which have been made by Sir Francis Scotfc. .

THE CIVIL WAR IN CUBA. . ? A ? MARSHAL MARTINEZ CAMPOS SUPERSEDED. London, January 19. Marshal Martinez Campos, who has been for months past in chief command of the Spanish forces in Cuba, admits that his protracted operations against the insurgents have been unsuccessful. Several engagements have been fought during the last few weeks between the Government forces and the rebels with varying results, but the latter have been pressing steadily towards Havana, the capital of the island, which it was found necessary to hurriedly place in a state of defence. The Spanish Government has conse quently decided to recall Marshal Martinez Campos, who is to be succeeded by General Weyler. Another determined effort is to be made to subdue the insurrection, and large reinforcements are being sent out for that purpose to the new commauder-in-chief. General Weyler intends to reverse the policy followed by his predecessor, who, he considers, was too mild in the measures he took to quell the outbrea...

ITALY AHD ABYSSINIA. RIFLES FOR MENELEK'S FORCES. London, January 19. An attempt has been made by King Menelek of Abyssinia to import 50,000 rifles for the purpose of arming fresh forces against the Italian troops. At the request of Italy the French Go vernment has prohibited a steamer which has tho rifles on board from landing them at any port on the shores of the Red Sea.